1 millisecond
1 msTime · definition
Time conversions use a Julian year of exactly 365.25 days.
Time
Just how long is 1 millisecond?
One millisecond is one thousandth of a second (10⁻³ s).
In a blink
1 ms
ELAPSED TIME
1 millisecond
Time conversions use a Julian year of exactly 365.25 days.
1 msTime
0
Camera flash
A camera flash is a brief, intense burst of light used to illuminate a scene for photography.
1 msTime
0
Both timelines start together. Length measures elapsed time, not a physical distance.
A little perspective
1 millisecond is approximately equal to the duration of a camera flash.
Measurements, assumptions & sources +
1 millisecond
Time: 1 ms; definition.
Time conversions use a Julian year of exactly 365.25 days.
Camera flash
Time: 1 ms; reference interval.
A chosen 1 ms flash duration; equipment varies.
Defined examples — our methodology
The marked time is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Measurement details
Why these numbers?
Compare 1 millisecond with the duration of a camera flash. The notes below explain how each value was chosen.
Camera flash
1 msTime · reference interval
A chosen 1 ms flash duration; equipment varies.
- Comparing
- Time ↔ Time
- Relative size
- 1 millisecond is approximately equal to the duration of a camera flash.
How to read the visual
The diagram uses the recorded measurements. Details outside the marked spans do not set the scale.
- The duration of a camera flash: The measurement is labelled reference interval. Check the source notes for its basis.
A duration is an interval, not a calendar date.
0.001 sseconds
2.7778 × 10⁻⁷ hhours
1.1574 × 10⁻⁸ daysdays
3.1688 × 10⁻¹¹ yearsyears
Change your perspective
Put it next to…
Choose a suggestion to redraw the comparison, or open its page to learn what it is.
A little smaller. A little larger.